The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-10
The Story of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
a Mutiny at Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER XvII.-CoNrrxUEn.


to show them that meant to be hon
est.
When returned, they were all
around the skylight, gazing at the sex
tant as though it were an animal; no
man taking the liberty to touch il,
however.
They came, hustling each other about
me as sat on the skylight working out
my figures, and / promise you their
proximity. coupled with my notion that
they might suspect | had been deceiv-
ing them, did not sharpen my wits SO
as to expedite my calculations
/ carried two reckonings in nv head
the false and the true; and, finding
our actual whereabouts to be ninety
eight miles from Bermuda, the islands
bearing west-southwest, as straight as
a line, | unfolded the chart, and, Civ
ing them the imaginary longitude and
Latitude, put my finger upon the spot
we were supposed to have reached,
.eXclaiming:
''NOw YOU can see where we are"
Just make a small mark there
with your pencil, will you?" said John
son. ''then all hands can have look.
| did so and quilted the sl,ylight.
surrcndering the chart to the men, who
made strange picture as they stood
porting over it, pointing with their
brown foretingers and arguing.
There's no question / can answer
is there?" said | to the carpenter.
MATES, is there any thing you want
to say to Mr.. Royle?'' he exclaimed.
when are we going to heave the
ship TOP" asked Fish.
That's for you to answer" 1 re-
joined.
well, I'm for not standin' too close
inshore," said Fish.
How fur off do you say is this here
Florida coaSt?" asked Johnson.
About sixty miles. Look at the
chart
And every minute brings US near
e." said n man.
That's true" replied. ''But YOU
don want to leave the ship before
dusk. do yOu?"
The men looked at each other as
though they were not sure that they
ought to confide so much to me as an
answer to my question would involve.
/ particularly took notice of this. and
felt how thoroughly | was put aside by
them in their intentions
The carpenter said: You'll under
stand our arrangements by and by,
Mr.. Royle. How's the wind?"
about north said /.
''Nates, shall VIC bring the yards to
the masts and keep the leeches liftin'
till we re ready TO stop her?'
The best thing as can happen"
said johnson.
She'll lie to the west ard at that.
and II look to be sailin' properly if
vessel sights her; and she'll make no
headway. neither, said Stevens.
You can't do better" | exclaimed
So the helm was put Gown. and as
the men went to work | descended to
my cabin.
The stewards head was at the pantry
door, and called to him: Bring me
a biscuit and the sherry
wanted neither, but | had some
thing to say to him; and if Stevens
saw him some to my cabin with a tray
in his hand he was not likely 10 follow
and listen ut the door.
The steward put the tray down and !
vas going away, when | took him by
the arm and led him to the extremity
OF the cabin.
do you value your life?" said to
him in a whisper.
He stared at me and turned pale
In the fewest possible words | de- |
tailed to him the plan the men had
formed of scuttling the ship and leav-
ing us on board. l told him the ar
engagements we had perfected for de- !
Tending our lives and let him under |
stand that his only hope Was to assist |
us in every way he could. As had !
anticipated, he was entirely unnerved |
for the time. But | knew that towards |
sometimes make the most terrible |
antagonists.
The noon hour came and the men |
went to dinner. The quiet was so pro-
found that it seemed almost rs though |
the ship was deserted.
In glancing through the skylight |
saw Mary Robertson looking up a: me-
leaned forward, so that my face was
concealed from the man at the wheel
the only person on deck besides my
self-and whispered:
keep up your courage, and be ready
to act As | may direct.
81 am quite ready" she answered.
''Remain in your cabin" l said,
land don't let the men see you;" for it
had flashed upon me that if the crew
saw her they might force her to GO
along with them in the boats.
Il wanted a little brandy for papa"
she answered. He is very poorly and
weak. and rambles terribly in his
talk. "
She turned to hide her tears from
me-, and prevent me witnessing her
struggles TO restrain them. She would
feel their impotence, the mockery of
them. at such a time; besides, dear
heart, she would think l should dis
trust her courage if she let me see her
weep.
The steward came forward under
the skyiight as she entered her cabin,
and said:
81 will fight for my life, sir"
That is my advice to YOU"
a will do my best l have been
thinking of my wife and child. SIR"
'HuShn' L cried. Not so loud. IF
Your courage fails you, there is a girl
in that cabin there who will show you
how to be brave. Remember two
things-act quickly and strike hard;
and, tor Gods sa&ei don't fall to drink
ing to pull mp your nerves. If | find
you drunk, | will call upon the men to
drown You"
And with this injunction 1 left the 5
skylight !,
It WAS not until six O'Clock that the ]
carpenter ordered the men TO oct the ]